Regional Cultures in American Rock 'n' Roll

Regional Cultures in American Rock ‘n’ Roll increases students' understanding of various musical genres by looking at their cultural and geographical origins. Incorporating articles from writers, critics, and songwriters working in a broad range of musical styles, the book covers Rock ‘n’ Roll from its roots in the 1940s through classic rock, garage bands, and thrash metal.

Students will learn about the three major regional cultural centers that influenced the inception and development of Rock ‘n’ Roll, as well as how these influences were combined and recombined to create jump blues, rockabilly, and rhythm and blues.

The book is divided into five sections. Part I explores the roots of rock, and how electric music was developed. Part II examines how rock rose from American song traditions including the Blues, Folk, Country, and Popular Song. Part III looks at the splintering of styles, and the emergence of Classic Rock. Part IV discusses the role of the singer/songwriter in rediscovering the American voice. Part V addresses the return of Rock ‘n’ Roll to the garage.

Topics include:

-Haight-Ashbury
-Hotel California, New Kids in Town
-Rebellion and Girldom
-Defining Characteristics of Punk
-Getting from Andres Segovia to Kurt Cobain
-The Music of the Dispossessed

Regional Cultures in American Rock-n-Roll is an outstanding supplement to standard course textbooks for semester or quarter-length courses in the history of Rock ‘n’ Roll. The cultural and historical perspectives make this text equally appropriate for courses on popular American culture. The quality of the included writing selections not only gives students an engaging introduction to the subject, but exposure to music journalism and criticism as an important form of genre writing.

David Stuart is a Professor of Music at Iowa State University. He teaches low brass, music listening, and the history of American Rock ‘n’ Roll. Dr. Stuart's academic pedigree includes advanced study at the Academy of Music in Vienna, Austria, a visiting professorship at National Taiwan Normal University, and a research sabbatical on Celtic music in Scotland. He is the co-author of From Bakersfield to Beale Street: A Regional History of American Rock-n-Roll. Dr. Stuart is the principal trombonist of the Des Moines Symphony. He routinely performs with touring productions and artists including The Moody Blues and The Temptations.

Scott Anderson is Hixson-Lied Professor of Trombone at the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, where he teaches courses on the history of Rock-n-Roll, and popular music. In addition, Dr. Anderson is the head of the Brass and Percussion Area, and trombonist in the University of Nebraska Brass Quintet. He is active as a recitalist, orchestral musician, and chamber musician, and has performed throughout the United States and Europe with a variety of ensembles including the University of Nebraska Brass Quintet and the Minnesota Orchestra.